Waverly Council votes against opposing AUKUS

By REBECCA HERNANDEZ

Waverly Council has rejected a motion to oppose the AUKUS pact, which seeks to deliver nuclear submarines to Australia.

The motion, proposed by Greens Councillor and Deputy Mayor Elaine Keenan, asked the council to note Waverly’s anti-nuclear history, and call on the Albanese Labor Government to withdraw from the pact, sign a treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons, and redirect allocated funds to housing and climate costs.

It also asked councillors to write to other councils across New South Wales, informing them of this resolution, and requesting that they move a similar motion.

“If the AUKUS plan for Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines goes ahead it would result in a huge expansion of militarism and could have dire outcomes not only in the Waverley Council area but the whole region,” Cr Keenan told City Hub.

“We are about to hand over hundreds of billions of dollars of our tax payers money to other countries – one has to ask what benefit does that have for our community?”

“Outside Local Government”

Councilors voted not to pass the motion at a ratio of eight to four, opting to keep the council out of the AUKUS discussion.

Mayor Paula Masselos, who voted against the motion, believes the issue sits outside of the council’s purview.

“AUKUS is a complex foreign affairs and defence matter which is the responsibility of the Federal government, and therefore outside the purview of local government,” she told City Hub.

Other councilors were more critical of the motion itself, finding it unfocused and wishful.

“This motion is a bit of a fruit salad […] it’s almost a Greens wish list of things,” said Cr Steven Lewis.

AUKUS At A Glance

The AUKUS pact is a three-way partnership between Australia, the UK, and the United States. It’s “first major initiative,” according to a statement from the US White House, is to “support Australia” in “acquiring conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines.”

“This project will drain $368 billion, at least, from vital public services, like health, aged care, education the environment and climate action,” said Cr Keenan.

It is unconscionable that in a cost of living crisis, Labor can find $368b for nuclear submarines.”

Cr Keenan has stated that the motion’s rejection is not the end, and resolved to continue working against AUKUS when asked if she will bring it up with the council again.

“There are campaigns currently being put together by Greens and other concerned community members and Unions.  I would most certainly consider assisting those campaigns and informing our community by bringing forward future anti-AUKUS motions.”